The following petition was turned into the union office today with the required number of signatures. (My signature is not on it)
In accordance with the bylaws this will be brought up at an upcoming union charter meeting, I do not know exactly when this will come before members:

Contact has finally been made between ATU757 attorney Susan Stoner and Chris Day’s attorney. It was a phone conversation followed up with a fax submitted to Chris’ attorney. The phone conversation addressed the concerns of a recording devise being used during meetings and was not clear if Chris was permitted to attend meetings or not. The fax submitted to Chris’ attorney presented Chris with required conditions to permit his return to union meetings. It also included conditions about Chris’ personal blog site. Chris and his attorney are both concerned about a conditional return and are keeping the option of getting an injunction available. Though the injunction is an added cost and is creating more monetary damages Chris is wanting to stay focused on the actual factual information and violations that had taken place. ATU757 has violated Federal Law and some Oregon torts upon their actions against Chris Day. Chris feels it is important for members to stay focused on the actual violations that is occurring and not allow attention to be distracted away from that focal point. Currently many members have personally voiced their displeasure of the actions that have occurred but are afraid to directly voice their feelings out loud to the officers. At this time it would be nice if other members would step forward in helping protect Chris’ rights as a member and make a clear statement to our union Staff and Officers that when one member is violated all members are violated. If ATU757 has legal grounds they must take actions that are within the law. If ATU757 is unable to produce factual evidence that supports their actions they must yield and correct the damages that has been done.

Bus bosses are to deploy an undercover inspector to spy on a driver who allegedly tried to mow down a group of cyclists.
The news comes as figures show 31 riders were killed or seriously injured in Leeds in a year – with an action group branding some drivers “idiots”.
Arriva has launched an investigation after five members of Drighlington Bicycle Club had a near-miss with a bus on the A58 through Birkenshaw.

Choking back tears, bus driver Charles Dixon told a Provincial Court Tuesday how a savage assault on him by an angry passenger has changed his life, possibly forever.
“I am not the same person I was before this attack,” said the 25-year driver, detailing a series of emotional and physical problems with which he continues to struggle, since being laid low by a single punch on a Burnaby night run last February.

The meeting with Greg did nothing but piss me off. There are certain stops I always call,

"goose hollow" , "sky line", "87th".

This 'secret rider' says I called no stops. The chances of that are about zero.

At least these liars are letting us see the bogus reports. The most useless piece of garbage I've seen in a long time. No times, doesn't tell how many riders, nothing about driving conditions, where was the spy sitting, its a report that would make STALIN proud.PDF FILE 1PDF FILE 2

Of course they gave me no specific instructions on how to meet their vague expectations. Just handed me a copy of that SOP again. As one of my pals told me later, this way they do not pin themselves down and can always find something to harass you with.

Today, Mayor Sam Adams, Portland Public Schools Superintendent Carole Smith and TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane will meet to determine the fate of Trimet’s YouthPass program, which allows Portland Public Schools students currently enrolled in high school to ride public transportation for free during the school year.

I hope you had a good Thanksgiving. I wanted to let you know that I tried to contact Susan Stoner today, which was more difficult than it should have been. Her # listed in the Oregon State Bar directory says it has been disconnected. No one answered the phone all afternoon at ATU’s local # for me to request her #. I finally, found a # listed to her and the voice message said it was hers, but she never called me back. Anyway, I’ll try again tomorrow.
If she answered I was going to introduce myself and tell her how I represent you. I would inform her that Jonathan’s actions where in violation of Federal Law, and probably constituted several Oregon civil torts as well. I would then ask her if you are officially barred from union meetings. Depending on how she responded to all of this, I would either request a meeting to internally work this out or tell her we will pursue your legal rights formally. So like I said, when I actually get to speak to an authority figure over there that is basically what I will say. If too much time goes by and it appears they are totally ignoring you/us, then we can discuss what the next steps will be.

I know its not his fault, so I apologized for being sarcastic and abusive to him.

I'm taking out my frustration on the wrong person, and that's not fair of me.We are working under a Stalinist regime who actively works at "tricking" us and finding fault where there is no fault.Do I think I am being "set up"?Ya, I do, but not by his efforts.

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — A general strike is expected to shut down many public services and disrupt mass transit systems in Portugal as workers contest austerity measures linked to a euro78 billion ($104 billion) bailout.
Officials say international flights could be canceled during Thursday's protest, and few train services are scheduled to run.
Government offices, school classes, mail deliveries and trash collections are also likely to be severely affected.
The government has enacted tax hikes and cuts in pay and welfare entitlements as it tries to drive down the recession-hit country's high debts.
Portugal's two largest trade union confederations, representing more than 1 million mostly blue-collar workers, said Wednesday they also planned 34 protest marches across the country.

When is Trimet going to fire Al? This guy has shown an absolute hatred for his job, Trimet and sides on the side of drivers...that they never do anything wrong. If he worked for a private sector company, he'd be long gone with the stuff he pulls.

Stuff I pull?

Like talking about working conditions and politics of a public sector employee?

Like being against a public agency that screws it riders and drivers while building useless MAXs line?

Like breaking union contracts contrary to established precedence and law.

Like imposing unjust and unfair discipline on its employees just because they can?

Like throwing your employees under the bus the minute anything goes wrong so that the executives don't have to take the heat?

Don't fret AL M haters, I got three months to go, then I AM OUTTA HERE!

I want you to know Mr Larson that as of today I will be following theexact procedure and rules regarding all my performance expectations at TRIMET.I do need definitions however, since the rules require me to announce every time I turn, I need to know should the turn be announced before or after I make it, and if there is no stop where shall I pull over to make the audible microphone announcement?

For example I will announce by microphone (while bus is stopped and brake applied) that the first turn we will make today is "Lombard Street"

But then we turn onto "Canyon Road" and there is no stop until we are way down on canyon road, so where should the announcement be made?

Of course if I have the red light at the turn I can apply the brake and make the announcement that I am turning but that may cause me to miss the light and that is a 3 minute light.

I don't get responses anymore from the management so this is rather impressive:

My memory has not failed me(why does he bother bringing up that I 'missed' the meeting then) and I believe we met on the 8th. We discussed the QAR ride of 10/21/11. Since then we’ve received another QAR report that took place 11/17/11 indicating no stops called. Both were random rides.(INTERESTING INDEED THAT THESE 'RANDOM RIDES' ARE SO CLOSE TOGETHER ISN'T IT? I'm sure he didn't send them, but there are plenty more managers around besides him.) I did not request them.I did answer your email during our meeting and a video of yourself on your blog confirms that I did as does the second to last sentence in this email….”

This is very interesting, and I am trying to figure out what is going on here.

Regarding the allegation I made that he did not answer me and his response that he did answer me, I meant that he did not answer me in writing!

And now we have another "I called no stops" violation.

There is only one scenario that this occurs:

I KNOW EVERYBODY ON THE BUS AND WHERE THEY GET OFF!

I'm interested to see the full report, how many people were on the bus and what time did this happen?

See working for a company without ethics you get caught with your pants down because your using your brain instead of being a barking dog, which is what this management wants from us, BARK YOU DOGS BARK, it doesn't matter that the barking is of no use to anyone and you know for a fact that nobody actually needs a call stop.

So its one of my regulars that is the "spy".

I have a pretty good idea who it is, but managers need not worry, you will get your way now, I'll bark because you want me to, no problem. All they had to do was tell me that "Al, you need to be a barking dog and call out the stops even if it is obvious that nobody needs a call stop, we have spies who love love to bust our drivers for no particular reason."

I'm not quite ready to retire yet.

I want to say again: I HAVE NEVER HAD A REAL ADA COMPLAINT IN MY ENTIRE CAREER AT TRIMET, NOT ONE!

Ultimately TRIMET TRANSIT DISTRICT has failed the disabled, not me and not other drivers.

They have been too busy building MAX to be bothered with getting the proper equipment in place for bus riders, including disabled bus riders.

Established in 1973, The City’s official policy was created to ensure that every new transportation initiative had the end goal of moving people out of automobiles and into more-sustainable options such as public transit, biking and walking.
While more San Franciscans are using alternative forms of transportation now, nearly 39 percent of city residents said in 2009 — the most recent year of available data — they drive alone to work, more than any other mode of travel.

Whack jobs are betting I will be "fired" before the end of the year!YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!Get my life back?WOW! What a thought, not a slave to TRIMET anymore?I can't even imagine having my life back to be honest.

I am in receipt of your letter informing me of a “MANDATORY” meeting on November 29.

I am unable to meet the time as requested; Jeff Ackerson will be contacting you about that.

Your letter states “you marked off sick during the last scheduled meeting”.

Your memory must be failing because on November 9 I was summoned to your office to discuss the releasing of the MAX crash video.At that time we discussed the call stop problems.I told you then that I have been calling the stops and have been doing so for years. You said I overreacted to the call stop violation letter. I then offered to pull the bus over at every single point where there is supposed to be a call stop, put on the parking brake and make the appropriate announcement. You said that was unnecessary.

In addition I sent you an email about this situation,which was ignored and unanswered:

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Numerous operators have contacted me and have communicated that this company does not supply us with the exact stops they want called.
Operators have had enough of this institutional abuse.EITHER TELL US WHAT YOU WANT OR LEAVE US ALONE!PUT IT IN THE POUCH, WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM US!

Unless these unethical managers allow me to record the meetings,I will not participate in any more meetings with these people.If they refuse to to allow me to record the meeting then I want IN WRITING exactly what they want me to do!These people are setting me up and I will not allow this to go forward without a fight!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Employees of Trimet will be going to the December 14th board meeting to express to the directors that management has not upheld its responsibility in creating a safe working environment;

schedules that work so that operators are not under undo pressure, equipment that meets basic standards of safe operation, and work schedules that do not create exhaustion

While McFarlane preaches safety, he has done nothing to address the systemic problems associated with safety. All of McFarlanes safety measures revolve around safety training for operators. He has ignored the operational issues that have created an unsafe work environment.

We intend to give the board of directors examples of some of the unsafe conditions under which we work under.

The current contract states:

Section 15 — SAFETY

Par. 1. The health and welfare of employees is a primary

concern of both the District and Association. Both parties

recognize the importance of achieving and maintaining a high

level of safety in all operations of the District. Both parties

also recognize the importance of reducing on-the-job injuries

and controlling property damage and production losses.

Both parties recognize the value of safety rules and practices,

as well as preventive and corrective safety measures.

Therefore, the District and Association, in recognition of their

common commitment to promotion of safety and reduction

of losses, will jointly support efforts to implement policies,

practices, procedures, and protections during the duration of

this Agreement to bring this about.

The management has failed to deliver a safe working environment for its employees.

Starting Jan. 30, 2012, Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles will require commercial truck and bus drivers to submit a photocopy of their medical certificate to continue holding a commercial driver license.
The new requirement is part of federal safety regulations aimed at making sure commercial driver license holders are medically fit to operate commercial vehicles.
The federal regulations require that state DMVs withdraw commercial driving privileges for drivers who do not maintain medical qualifications for their type of commercial vehicle operation.
All commercial drivers will need to submit a photocopy of their valid medical card to DMV to obtain and retain a CDL or commercial instruction permit by Jan. 30, 2014.

The boy was angry when he boarded the bus and began to scream obscenities at the driver, which caused another passenger on the bus to call 911. The youth's ticket fell to the floor as he tried to put it in the fare box, but he continued to move to the back of the bus.
The driver called the youth back and asked him to stop swearing. The young man then sucker-punched the driver in the right eye.

PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
The president of the TriMet union will not spend any time behind bars.
A judge sentenced Jonathan Hunt to a diversion program yesterday.
He was convicted of DUII last week.
Hunt was arrested last December when police say they found him asleep at the wheel at a Gresham stoplight.
His blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit, police say.http://www.kptv.com/story/16111660/trimet-union-president-sentenced

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

The switch problem has been fixed. Yellow Line service between Union Station and Rose Quarter stations is being restored. Riders should expect delays on MAX Blue, Green, Red and Yellow lines as trains return to regular schedules.

Trimet & ATU757 Contract states in
Articale 1 – General Provisions
Par. 14. Transit Exchange Program
The District shall pay the Association $1,000 per month
effective December 1, 2003, for the purpose of a program
to provide for the exchange of information and ideas
between national and international transportation industry
association executive officers. The District shall pay the
Association $1,000 per month effective December 1, 2003,
for the purpose of a Transit Exchange Program. The amount
of this payment shall increase to:
$1,100 per month effective 12/01/04
$1,200 per month effective 12/01/05
$1,300 per month effective 12/01/06
$1,400 per month effective 12/01/07
$1,500 per month effective 12/01/08

and as of August 2011 the Transit Exchange Account had $55,504.83 and about $4,500.00 should have been added to that for the past three months bring to a total of $60,004.83 and from my understanding the trip is going to cost close to $27,000.00(thanks to Chris Day for providing this info)

I want to wish everyone at TriMet a very happy Thanksgiving. I'm thankful I work for a transit agency that is a national model. A transit agency that is #7 in the country in per capita ridership -- that carries more riders than any agency its size. I'm thankful that we have 2400 people at TriMet dedicated to providing great service to more than 330,000 rides per day -- as well as building and developing a great system that serves the future of our growing region. With all of your help, we'll overcome the challenges we face, and have even more to be thankful for in the years ahead. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Best Neil

According to someone who spoke to her, the answer is no. she was not demoted, just "reorganized".As part of that reorganization her job title was changed, her duties remain the same and her salary remains the same.

November 22, 2011 - Taping Union MeetingsThe question has been asked whether it is legal for a union member to secretly audio tape Union meetings and subsequently publish those tapes on the internet or elsewhere. Click here to see the answer.

I am sorry to report that interest arbitration to resolve the collective bargaining agreement between TriMet and ATU, which was scheduled for mid-January, 2012, has been delayed until March 14 – 17. TriMet strenuously opposed the delay. The January dates had been calendared since May 2011.

Delaying the arbitration means delaying resolution of the outstanding collective bargaining issues that separate TriMet and ATU. TriMet, its employees, and the public deserve prompt resolution to the outstanding issues of wages, benefits, and working conditions. From my perspective, wages, benefits, and staffing levels are the most critical element of budgeting for what promises to be a very tough year ahead.

And I know many of you are concerned that TriMet’s fiscal challenges will affect you personally. For TriMet’s part, I promise you that we will continue to seek prompt and reasonable solutions that protect both TriMet and its employees because we know that the longer the contract remains unresolved, our mutual financial stability remains volatile and unpredictable.

Sources have indicated that Jon Hunt is going to Romania, weather members like it or not. Mr Hunt states that the money for this trip is not coming from our dues. (Not verifiable)Mr Hunt will be there for two weeks and Ron Hientzman is accompanying him along with one other person, at least three people.After two weeks in Romania he is going to a 'summit' for 5 days and after that he will be going on 'vacation' for an indeterminate amount of time.

ATU International President Larry Hanley announced that he has ended the ATU’s 13 year affiliation with our counterparts in Romania. Hanley stated in his opinion, the affiliation was only for travel and party purposes, and that he didn’t see where our International Union was getting “any return” for the $2300 a month financial assistance we were providing our brothers and sisters in Romania.http://hanleybakerwatch.wordpress.com/2011/02/05/professional-or-vindictive/

The President of the TriMet driver's union will be sentenced this week for driving under the influence, according to court records.
Last week, a jury found Jonathan Hunt guilty of driving with a blood alcohol level almost twice the legal limit in Gresham in December of 2010.
Police said Hunt was found asleep behind the wheel at a stoplight and failed a field sobriety test.
The case was previously declared a mistrial last July, according to court documents.http://www.kptv.com/story/16102320/sentencing-scheduled-for-trimet-union-boss-convicted-of-dui

According to passengers, the driver ordered a passenger off the bus near Sikeston, Mo., because he was being unruly.
Richmond said the company has extensive training for its drivers about how to handle passengers and that it would be acceptable to put an unruly or threatening passenger off a bus.
The driver then pulled over in Cape Girardeau, saying she was leaving. She walked off the bus and waited outside for someone to pick her up.
Passengers called 911; when police arrived, they ordered the driver back on the bus.
She complied, but after driving to a gas station in nearby Charleston, she left again at about midnight.

As a freeloader, Lexington was not alone - although a precise figure is difficult to calculate, the T estimates that tens of millions are lost annually through fare evasion. He was not even alone on this trolley. Half a dozen riders in the rear of that car Tuesday had boarded with no intention of paying. Garvey asked Lexington for an ID, preparing to write one of the 3,000 citations for$15that the T issues annually.

Airport MAX Red Line trains between PDX and Gateway and westbound MAX Blue Line trains are delayed between Cleveland Ave and Gateway TC stations due to a mechanical issue with an earlier train. Expect delays.

Westbound MAX Blue Line trains are delayed between Cleveland Ave and Gateway Transit Center stations due to a mechanical issue with an earlier train. Riders should expect a 10-15 minute delay.

MARTA bus driver Andrea Andrews had picked up a passenger in Grant Park last week and just turned east on Memorial Drive when the man protested the direction the bus was headed. He wanted to go downtown.
He slugged the 41-year-old driver in the face after Andrews said she couldn’t return his fare, a fight ensued and the assailant fled, according to a police report.

"You're always working in front of an audience. If one person is mad at you, chances are there are probably more people in the bus who are thinking the same thing. So you're in a never-win situation," he said.
He said he decided to speak out because he wore his uniform with "pride" for many years and while he's retired now, he doesn't like the battering bus drivers are getting from the public.
"To see hard-working men and women being treated like this is difficult because they go through hard times just like everybody else. When you get behind that wheel, you can't just say, 'I had a really rough night last night and I'd like to take it easy today.' It's not like having an office job (where) you can close the door and if your paperwork stacks up you can do it tomorrow."

Friday, November 18, 2011

In a prior decision, ERB prohibited TriMet from proposing changes to wage levels or employee-paid health premiums at the up-coming interest arbitration. This is because TriMet waited to spring both ideas on the Union until after it submitted its final offer to the interest arbitrator, instead of making those proposals during bargaining. In September, TriMet sought to make ERB reconsider its decision. Today, ERB refused to reconsider; noting that TriMet had no good explanation for its failure to properly address these issues during bargaining. What’s next is the interest arbitration hearing which will occur in mid-March.

A group of TriMet employees just returned from theGilligfactory where they observed the manufacturing of new buses. They toured the entire manufacturing facility and had a chance to witness thepowertrainfunctionality work being done at the end of their first manufacturing line. At this point there are no body panels on the bus, it’s just a frame with the motor at the back and tires. TriMet staff was impressed with a key company policy: if the engine fails, the president is contacted. Having our employees there made the difference in a number of ways:

In 1987, the Oregon Legislature passed a law that, in part, allows cities with a population of less than 10,000 and certain unincorporated areas to withdraw from TriMet. These areas must meet certain withdrawal criteria. Petitions for withdrawal can be filed with the TriMet Board of Directors every five years during the period from January 1st through August 30th. On August 30, 2011 the Board received a petition to withdraw from the Boring area, an unincorporated area in Clackamas County, from the TriMet district.

On October 21 an operator was punched by a passenger. In response to the report filed by the operator, Transit Police put together a flyer and distributed it through the Portland Police Bureau. An Officer recognized the suspect and the suspect was arrested and charged.
This case is a reminder of the importance of notifying Dispatch or Control when you are the victim of a crime while on duty, even if the suspect has left the scene or is unknown to you. Police use a variety of investigative tools to identify and locate criminal suspects but without a formal report of the crime they have no way to begin an investigation.

Stroller Policy Reminder
Per TriMet’s policy baby strollers are allowed on the bus and customers may board the bus with a child in a stroller. Once they are on the bus, it is TriMet’s policy that the child be removed from the stroller. Collapsible strollers must be folded and stored by the customer after boarding. In all cases (whether on buses or trains) strollers must be positioned in a manner that does not create an obstacle for other passengers.
These policies are a matter of safety. In the event of a collision, or even a hard braking event, a child in a stroller is much more vulnerable and may even become a projectile and cause injury to others.
Some customers may require additional time, effort, assistance and patience to fulfill these requirements. In all cases, responding to questions and challenging situations in a polite, respectful way is always the right choice. If you need assistance with a customer who refuses to comply with the policy, immediately contact Dispatch.
If you any have questions, please see your trainer or transportation manager.

Your dedication to maintaining service and helping our customers during yesterday’s Occupy Portland events was greatly appreciated.
With the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday approaching I wanted to take a moment to thank each of you for the contributions you make every day. You are a critical part of the service we deliver.
“Thank you” to the operators who serve our customers day in and day out; the supervisors, controllers and dispatchers that help keep the system moving; the schedule writers who work with limited service hours to provide schedules that work; the station agents who work hard every day to fill the work; and the maintenance personnel who keep buses, trains and non-revenue vehicles running smoothly - as well as keep our infrastructure in good working order and ready for our customers each day.
Looking back on this past year, I want to give special thanks to the MOW team who made sure our TVMs received the latest updates in record time, and to our Rail Equipment Maintenance team for putting their shoulders to the grindstone on preventative maintenance, additionally a big “thank you” to our bus operator training team for completing the bus operator certification program.
I am sure I may have missed a group or two, if I did I hope you will forgive the oversight and know that your work is appreciated.
I wish each of you a safe, warm and happy holiday. Thank you for your commitment to serving our customers and being part of TriMet.

Staff have been getting our agency ready to take on Mother Nature and all of her antics. As we look at weather reports – there could be a chance of snow in the higher elevations. It’s times like these that our riders rely on us to get them where they’re going – safely. Even when many of us face the same challenges in getting around in inclement weather as our customers, I know I can rely on you to do the right thing – get to work and help the thousands of people who would otherwise be stranded. This is really the time we need “all hands on deck” – from office staff to operators.

It may be cold. You may be all bundled up. But there are three things I ask you to remember while we’re trudging through the snow or ice:

· YOU ARE NEEDED: Each of us needs to be prepared to get to work and do our part during a winter weather event. It takes all of us to do the job!

· CUSTOMER SERVICE: When the weather turns ugly – our community turns to TriMet to get them where they’re going. Some folks will be getting on the system for the very first time. Keep that in mind and use those good customer service skills!

My thanks to all of you in advance for rising to the occasion in what is generally the most challenging time of year.

And speaking of challenges—my thanks again to everyone for putting safety first during the continued disruptions in downtown Portland yesterday. You did a great job!